Couchiching Jubilee House

'Empowering vulnerable women to improve their quality of life through a program of individualized support and transitional housing'


THE ORIGINS OF COUCHICHING JUBILEE HOUSE

Couchiching Jubilee House was born out of a Millenium project supported by the Orillia Ecumenical Jubilee Committee and the Outreach Programme of St. James’ Anglican Church, Orillia, Ontario.

The House that was to become Couchiching Jubilee House was offered for rent by St. James’ Court Non-Profit Housing Corporation.   Jack Cox, Chair of St. James’ Court, negotiated an agreement to lease the four-apartment home to St. James’ Church, to be sub-leased to Couchiching Jubilee House.  The location of the home in downtown Orillia is ideal both as a central, convenient location for residents and for its proximity to three of the major supporting churches and their facilities.

Original sponsoring churches were St.Paul's United, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, St. James’ Anglican, Westmount United, Forest Home United and Regent Park United.  St. David's Anglican, St. Athanasius’ Anglican and Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Churches also provided support as the project became a reality.

In March 2001, Couchiching Jubilee House was Incorporated in the Province of Ontario, and shortly afterwards obtained Federal Charitable status.

       From the initial planning stage, individuals involved with Couchiching Jubilee House intended that the initiative should be ecumenically Christian faith based and that its ongoing structure and policies should reflect this through:

  1. Ecumenical Board representation that perpetually includes a parishioner or clergy from St. James’ Church, Orillia
  2. Annual reflection on the goals of the initial commitment
  3. The development of policies and procedures that continue to reflect Christian values and principles of operation for Couchiching Jubilee House
  4. The recruitment of volunteers who endorse the faith-based origins and principles of operation for Couchiching Jubilee House.
  5. The ongoing highlighting of the Christian ecumenical basis of this residence to both the community and the residents of the House.

    Submitted by Rosemarie Freeman, Sept.2004/ rewritten by Gill Tillmann  2009

Charitable Donation Number 87282 4610 RR0001